Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham boost with Barry Ferguson back to full fitness
[LNB]Back to fitness: Barry Ferguson[LNB]Birmingham have received a boost with midfielder Barry Ferguson back to full fitness for the relegation run-in.[LNB]The former Scotland captain suffered a broken rib in the Carling Cup final triumph over Arsenal in a challenge with Samir Nasri.[LNB]Ferguson has continued to play by taking pain killers for the past six weeks and has remained a key figure in the battle for Barclays Premier League survival.[LNB]But now City boss Alex McLeish is confident the former Rangers player is over his setback ahead of Saturday's home clash with out-of-form Sunderland.[LNB]McLeish said: 'Ferguson has his rib problem and was taking big injections to play. But he is good now, feeling like brand new.[LNB]'Barry said he still gets the odd twinge but he is pretty much over it.[LNB]McLeish has an open mind over the theory that British players, like Ferguson, are more prepared to play when less than 100 per cent fit than foreign stars.[LNB]He said: 'I have played with players at Aberdeen and we started bringing foreigners into the team.[LNB]'They were great players but they wouldn't play if they weren't 100 per cent.[LNB]'But I am not blaming the foreigners for that. They are great players and they don't take some of the chances we do. But maybe we are the daft ones - us Brits.[LNB]'I always remember going through it myself, playing when not 100 per cent, and thinking "I wish I hadn't played today" if I had a nightmare.'[LNB]Meanwhile Birmingham winger Sebastian Larsson has still to make his mind up over whether his future lies after this season.[LNB] Undecided on future: Sebastian Larsson (right) in action against Blackburn[LNB]The Swedish international can leave City on a free transfer in the summer if he so desires when his contract runs out.[LNB]McLeish said: 'Seb is in a comfortable position just now. He knows he can dictate what he wants to do in the summer and that's the way it has always been.[LNB]'I have asked Seb to ask him to keep his powder dry until the end of the season.[LNB]'Everything will take care of itself in the summer and Seb said to me he had not made up his mind.'[LNB] Johnson boost for Birmingham as defender looks set to win fitness fightMcLeish positive over Johnson as Birmingham prepare for Sunderland[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Barry Ferguson, Alex McLeish, Sebastian Larsson Places: Birmingham, Aberdeen, Scotland
